NAVAL DEFENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 May 1922, Page 5

NAVAL DEFENCE.

CANADA’S POLICY. FISHING CRUISER AND TRAWLERS. By Telegraph.—Pr&ss Assn.—Copyright. Vancouver, May 11. “’Smacking of Tinafore’” says a leading Canadian newspaper, with reference to Canada’s plans for a fishing protection cruiser service taking the place of Canada’s navy, which in turn is practically scrappad. The Minister for Naval Defence, speaking in the House of Commons, said that the five new ships which Britain a year ago presented to Canada will be iaid up and the bulk of the crews will be sent home. Britain is replacing these with a fishery cruder and two trawlers, which will be placed both in the Atlantic and Pacific. Four officers from the Royal Navy, now in the service, will be retained to train a sort of naval militia for two or three weeks of each year. It is hoped to train 1500 youths annually, they later being candidates for the fishery protection service if thev wish to join it. It is expected that next week this outline of the Government naval plans will be fully discussed in Parliament. Meantime the explanation on behalf of the Government says: “The action proposed is in view of the general suspension of great expenditures throughout the world and of Canadas financial position and the burdens we have to carry. So we must face the situation in the light of the declaration by leading world statesmen, that there must be a suspension of abnormal expenditure.”